Samajwadi Party patronised criminals across U.P. during its rule, alleges CM Adityanath

Houses for poor to be built on land reclaimed from mafia Atiq Ahmed, 602 families to get homes in first phase and 598 families in second phase in Prayagraj

Published - October 16, 2026 04:20 pm IST - Lucknow

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addresses a public meeting for the Graduate Voters' election campaign in Prayagraj on October 15, 2026. | Photo Credit: ANI

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday (October 15, 2026) in Prayagraj alleged that when the Samajwadi Party (SP) comes to power, it brings mafia and goons, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) brings development and change.

Mr. Adityanath commented on performing Bhoomi Pujan for the construction of 602 houses, costing over ₹191 crore, under the Padmalok Awas Yojana on 9,811 square meters of land reclaimed from the criminal-turned-politician late Atiq Ahmed in Kasari-Masari, Prayagraj.

He also distributed keys to beneficiaries of 556 houses constructed in Peeplagaon under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban).

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The U.P. CM announced that Kasari-Masari would no longer be known by that name and that the entire area would be developed as ‘Shri Krishnapuri’. “When SP comes to power, it brings mafia and goons, while BJP brings development and change. No one will dare to indulge in mafia activities in Prayagraj anymore. If anyone does so or gets it done, they should be prepared to be reduced to dust. No goon or mafia can encroach upon anyone’s property. If anyone does so, even the wealth earned by their fathers and grandfathers will be seized,” asserted Mr. Adityanath.

“In the past, this very Prayagraj, when any land that mafia Atiq and mafia Ashraf set foot on became theirs, the State government remained silent, surrendering before them. The safety of daughters was under threat here. Wielding firearms, mafia members had become synonymous with fear and terror on the streets and in the lanes of Prayagraj. Because of the terror unleashed by the mafia, ordinary people felt unsafe. In such an environment, development was impossible, investment could not come in, employment opportunities could not be created for young people, and no plan for their bright future could move forward. Our government made it clear on the very first day that it would adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards crime and criminals. No criminal would be given any leniency, and U.P. would be made mafia-free. Today, the results of this resolve are visible,” said Mr. Adityanath.

The U.P. CM added that the state government has resolved to dismantle the mafia’s illegal empires and use the land reclaimed from them for the benefit of the poor. “At Lukarganj, a high-rise building has already been constructed on land reclaimed from the mafia, providing homes to 86 poor families. The residential scheme is now being taken forward in Kasari-Masari as well. Under the plan, the first phase will provide houses to 602 families, and the second phase to 598 families. Thus, approximately 1,200 families will receive permanent homes. When about 1,200 families reside in this residential complex, the population here will exceed 6,000 to 6,500 people. They will not only be provided houses, but a well-planned township will also be developed separately for them. There will be a market, park facilities, space for sports, a gym, and other amenities according to the needs of residents,” said Mr. Adityanath.

Mr. Adityanath described Prayagraj as the land of social equality, the sacred land of Bhagwan Akshayvat. “Prayagraj is Teerthraj. It is a land of social equality, the sacred land of Bhagwan Akshayvat and a place sanctified by the spiritual practices of Maharishi Bharadwaj. For ages, this land has preserved the significance of pilgrimage and passed it on from generation to generation,” added the U.P. CM.

Published - October 16, 2026 04:20 pm IST

Lucknow / Uttar Pradesh / crime / Samajwadi Party / Bharatiya Janata Party

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